2 Official System

General Guidelines of the 2-Official System

• During the game, each official covers two thirds of the total ice surface divided by the centre red line overlapping in the neutral zone.
• Both officials are responsible for monitoring the complete ice at every stoppage of play.
• Officials must arrive at the blue line ahead of the play.
• The Back Official must watch for fouls in front of the net.
• The Front Official must watch the play in the corner or along the boards.

Face-Off Guidelines in the 2-Official System

• The official taking the face-off retrieves the puck, and returns to conduct the face-off.
• The official not taking the face-off should monitor the ice and conduct the line change procedure.

Positioning at a Centre Ice Face-Off

• At any centre ice face-off both officials face each other at the centre red line.
• The official taking the face-off faces the penalty bench so the Timekeeper can start the clock when the puck is dropped.
• After dropping the puck, the official taking the face-off skates backwards toward the boards to keep an eye on the play.
• The official not taking the face-off follows the puck after it’s dropped, no matter which direction he puck goes. This allows the official to arrive at the blue line before the play.

Positioning During Play

• As the puck moves into the end zone, the front official follows the play and implements proper end zone positioning.
• The back official moves up the boards to a position one stride outside the blue line, at an angle facing the play.

Moving Through the Neutral Zone

• When the puck enters the neutral zone and is approaching the centre red line, both officials should be within one metre of the blue line in their end zone

Common Times When the System is Flexible

There are several occasions when officials can or will change ends, some of the common times when you would change ends with your partner include:

• After an icing
• After a goal is scored
• After a penalty is assessed
• The start of the next period
• After a neutral zone face-off

Official Responsibilities During Play

As the Front Official on an Icing:

• Blow the whistle
• Retrieve the puck
• Conduct the face-off
• Now the front and back officials have switched positions

As the Front Official When a Goal is Scored:

• Signal the goal and report it to the scorekeeper.

As the Back Official When a Goal is Scored:

• Retrieves the puck and go to center ice for the face-off following the same positioning and procedures as for the start of the game.

After a Penalty Call

• The official who assessed the penalty reports it to the scorekeeper. The other official retrieves the puck and skates to the face-off location, even if it’s in their partner’s zone.
• The official at the face-off spot is now responsible for this end zone.
• The official that assessed and reported the penalty takes up his position outside the blue line, or across from their partner in the neutral zone depending on where the face-off takes place.

At the Start of A New Period or a Neutral Zone Face-Off

• At the start of a new period, or during a face-off in the Neutral zone, the officials can decide if they will change end zones.